Battle heats up over proposed liquor ordinance

Proposal would levy $75 for any liquor license holder

A newly proposed liquor ordinance could mean an extra fee for bars in Omaha.

The ordinance would levy a $75 fee for anyone who holds a liquor license in the city.

John Larkin, the owner of Jake's Cigars and Spirits, said the new ordinance could impact businesses that have struggled to put his Benson community back on the map.

"The bars are what brought thousands of people down to this neighborhood that never would have come in the first place," Larkin said.

He said he's worried that the new fee would impact business.

Larkin said going after the bars and liquor stores that could cause trouble across the city makes sense but creating alcohol impact overlay zones -- which could eventually give City Council the power to place restrictions on all bars and stores -- does not make sense, nor does a $75 fee for liquor license holders.

Downtown supporters of the ordinance said $75 amounts to pennies on the day to keep bad bars and liquor stores out of business, to keep law enforcement on the street stopping trouble before it gets out of hand and to put some of the liquor license control in the hands of the city, not just the state.

"We feel like it's very reasonable," said Chris Foster of the Campaign for Local Control.

The supporters said they believe the ordinance would help the whole city turn a corner for safety.

"I can't imagine that any company who is considering moving to Omaha would consider this as a negative thing, it seems like a very positive thing," Mark's Bistro co-owner Molly Romero said.

Back in Benson, Larkin likened it a turn in the wrong direction.

Larkin said he is also concerned about the proposed tobacco ordinance. He said it's just another case of paying too many taxes and fees.

Public hearings for both ordinances will start at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

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